Kris Bryant’s 2026 MLB season is beginning much like his 2025 campaign ended, continuing a troubling trend that has characterized his time with the Colorado Rockies. The team has announced that he will start spring training on the 60-day injured list due to ongoing chronic back issues, a decision that comes ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting on Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Bryant’s ongoing struggle with back problems is well-documented; he managed to appear in only 11 games last season as his condition deteriorated. In an attempt to alleviate his chronic lumbar degenerative disc disease, he underwent an ablation procedure last year. Unfortunately, these treatments have not provided the relief he hoped for.
The 2026 season marks the fifth year of a seven-year, $182 million contract that the Rockies extended to Bryant in March 2022. Since joining the team, he has had an incredibly challenging time staying healthy, participating in less than half of the available games through his first four seasons. Specifically, he has missed 478 out of a potential 648 games, reflecting a significant burden for both him and the franchise.
Bryant’s performance metrics paint a grim picture as well. He currently holds a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of minus-1.5 since his arrival in Colorado, managing to finish in the positive only in the 2022 season. His batting average has seen a concerning decline, dropping from .303 in 2022 to .233 in 2023, falling further to .218 in 2024, and plummeting to just .154 over his limited appearances last season.
The Rockies and their fans are hopeful that Bryant can overcome these hurdles and return to form, but the journey has been fraught with challenges. As the team gears up for the new season, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to the continued absence of their star player.